‘Good luck’: Pat Cummins’ cheeky response to David Warner’s offer
Australian Test captain Pat Cummins had the perfect response to David Warner’s bold offer to come out of retirement this summer.
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Pat Cummins is not one bit interested in David Warner’s offer to come out of retirement to open the batting this summer.
A blockbuster five-Test series against India gets underway in November, and selectors are facing a dilemma over who should replace Warner at the top of the order alongside Usman Khawaja.
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There’s no obvious answer — NSW teenager Sam Konstas has put his hand up with twin centuries in the Sheffield Shield last week but giving the 19-year-old his Test debut against India would be a huge gamble.
The conundrum prompted Warner to reach out to the Australian camp and offer his services a year after retiring from Test cricket.
“I’m always available, just got to pick up the phone,” Warner told News Corp on Tuesday.
“I’m always dead serious. Let’s be honest, the guys have played one red ball game since their last Test matches in February, so I’ve almost had the same preparation.
“Honestly, if they really needed myself for this series, I’m more than happy to play the next Shield game and go out there and play.
“I did retire for the right reasons to finish the game and I wanted to finish. (But) my hand is up if they desperately need someone. I’m not going to shy away from that.”
Watch Pat Cummins’ response to David Warner’s offer in the video above
Asked about Warner’s offer on The Grade Cricketer, Cummins initially joked: “Dave, we’re very interested. We’re taking it very seriously and we’ll be in touch mate.”
The Australian captain then added he had also shut Warner down in private: “I did speak to Dave a couple of days ago. He was like, ‘what do you think?’
“I’m like, ‘yeah good luck for the (Sydney) Thunder this year. And I look forward to your comments on Fox.”
Warner has been navigating the globe on the T20 franchise circuit this year.
He played two games for the Thunder in last summer’s Big Bash, scoring 50 runs from two innings with a high score of 37.
The 38-year-old retired from international cricket after the T20 World Cup earlier this year and will swap his bat for the microphone, joining Kayo Sports’ commentary team this summer.
It remains to be seen who will be picked to take Warner’s spot for the first Test on November 22, with Steve Smith to move back down the order after Cameron Green was ruled out of the summer with a back injury.
Western Australia’s Josh Inglis has posted consecutive centuries and Nathan McSweeney is scoring runs, but they bat in the middle order.
Konstas, Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft has been named in the Australia A squad for two matches against India A, which loom as a crucial audition for the vacant opening spot.
Matthew Renshaw was overlooked for the Australia A squad.
It comes as Cricket Australia lifted Warner’s lifetime leadership ban on Friday effective immediately.
Warner and Steve Smith were suspended from international cricket for 12 months for their role in the 2018 sandpaper scandal in South Africa.
In a statement, Cricket Australia said its Conduct Commission’s independent panel reached a unanimous decision to have the leadership ban lifted.
The panel also considered references citing “the contribution that Mr Warner has made, and can make in the future, towards the development of young cricketers in Australia if they were given the opportunity to be led by Mr Warner, his important continuing role in fostering interest in cricket especially with the South Asian community in Australia and generally.”
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said: “I am pleased David has chosen to have his sanction reviewed and that he will be eligible to take up leadership positions in Australian Cricket this summer.”
Cricket NSW and the Sydney Thunder welcomed the decision, which opens the door for Warner to captain the Thunder in the Big Bash League this summer.
Sydney Thunder general manager Trent Copeland said: “David is a valued member of the Sydney Thunder family and has demonstrated tremendous leadership qualities at the club over the last two seasons.
“This decision provides us with the opportunity to consider David for further leadership roles at Sydney Thunder, but also allows him the chance to embrace other leadership opportunities inside and outside of cricket.”
CNSW CEO Lee Gorman said: “We are pleased David chose to have his sanction reviewed and that he will again be eligible to take up leadership positions in Australian Cricket.
“David has been nothing less than a role model on and off the field since his original sanction was imposed and we thoroughly support the Review Panel’s findings.”
Originally published as ‘Good luck’: Pat Cummins’ cheeky response to David Warner’s offer
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